Elyas needed answers. He needed to know if his son could have survived the event that turned the largest city in the region into ruins.

  Noah’s eyes were heavy with pity as he spoke.“It was Nightmares… a flood of them. Guided by a few rogue Dreamers capable of controlling them. I remember it clearly. I lost so many friends that day. Even more comrades…Julius was there too.”

  He paused, glancing at Julius, who now stared at the ground, unable to lift his head.

  “I was an Enforcer back then,” Julius said quietly. “I interrogated the rogues. We had caught them for suspicious activity… but I found no fault in them. So we let them go.”

  “The same night, they returned,” Noah continued, “They covered the meadows and plains in horrific abominations. Blocking every escape route. Then they attacked. Monsters as tall as apartments, as strong as Dreamers, trampled the city. It was exactly like the first day, when the Whispers came for the first time. By dawn, nothing remained of it. The City of Fog is gone.”

  Noah rested a hand on Julius’s shoulder. “Only a handful survived. Some hid under rubble, others among the corpses of their comrades or family, playing dead to survive. A few who had ventured outside to hunt or trade returned days later.”

  “The survivors, us and them, decided to stay. Rebuilding Vernis was impossible, but we could make small huts and cabins from the rubble. That’s how Mistwood was born… and Vernis fell.”

  Elyas stayed silent, clinging to any possible hope. ‘Michael could have been outside the city. He could have been in another city entirely. He could have been one of the survivors.’

  He didn't want to think of how improbable each one sounded. His own existence was something beyond reason.

  Noah noticed the subtle shift in Elyas’s expression and exhaled in relief. The man’s willpower had not waned. Elyas was still determined. If anything, his view of the men in front of him changed.

  Julius voiced a lingering question of his.

  “Noah… I understand why you protect him for the old man’s sake, but why haven’t you trained him yet?”

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  Noah’s reply was measured.

  “When I first saw him, he didn’t even have basic equipment. Teaching him properly would have consumed all my time. And I can’t afford that.”

  Julius nodded slowly. Seizing the opportunity, he spoke, making his voice raspy. “Then I guess it falls to me. Elyas… if you want, I can train you personally, start with the basics, and continue from there.” His smile was wide, almost unnervingly friendly.

  Noah facepalmed, cutting Julius immediately. “Don’t. This thief will make you pay for it.”

  “What?” Elyas blinked, confused.

  Noah shook his head. “This guy makes his wife heal him after workouts. Luckily for him, his physical potential cap was removed when he became a Dreamer.”

  Elyas frowned, then pieced it together. “Due to overuse of healing, he has to eat weeks worth of food to recover?”

  Noah nodded. Julius glared.

  “You rat! What's next?! You’ll tell him my Wish and Cost too?”

  “I will if you try scamming anyone else!” Noah shot back.

  Julius looked down at Elyas and Noah. The corners of his mouth twitching. “Tsk. Whatever. Can we eat now? I'm sure the patient's also hungry. Didn't you hear what my wife told him?”

  Noah agreed and walked outside, Julius did the same. Both waited for Elyas to change. The sight of a naked four hundred years old man wasn't very appealing, however young that man looked.

  Elyas walked out in a set of linen clothes.

  “So, where are we going? The tavern from yesterday?”

  Noah looked at Elyas and smacked his forehead.

  “I forgot to tell you. We have fast food chains.”

  …

  In one of the central streets of the north gate. In the middle of the night. Moonlight covered the always milky sky, creating paintings both above and on the houses.

  Clamped between them, right as shops started to replace homes, was a restaurant. A big neon sign hung above it, held tightly in place by a few metal bars. They spelled out a name. Covering its red and yellow walls in their white hue.

  “Telly Burger” Elyas said, standing in front of the building beside two men. All three covered by moonlight and the sign's harsh light.

  “What are you two waiting for? Let's get in, I'm starving over here!” Julius shouted at the two. His voice echoing through the empty alleys and streets.

  “Can't you suppress that damned stomach of yours? Oh and just you so you know, I will not be paying the tab this time!’ Noah shouted as he rushed to reach the giant, already stepping inside.

  Elyas followed them, a familiar greasy, yet pleasant scent became more prominent with each step. When he reached the door, It had already overpowered the damp, rusty smell that clung to the city air.

  As Elyas entered his senses were assaulted. Harsh, bright lights. Pure and bright colors of red and yellow. dozens of customers sitting near the entrance or on the second floor. Sounds of chatter and laughter. Noah and Julius, already blocking the desk, ordering.

  It was all familiar to him. It was to everyone in modern times. Who hadn't been in a fast food chain before?

  It was familiar. And familiar things are predictable. That creates comfort. The same comfort gets amplified by nostalgia. Longing for a world that doesn't exist. Wishing for simpler times.

  Elyas's shoulders relaxed. The lingering pain every time he walked couldn't wipe away his wide, happy smile. For once, he felt truly safe. Truly happy.

  “Hey, we're done ordering, do you want anything?” Julius turned to face Elyas. Seeing his blissful expression, he shot Noah a strange glance.

  “No need to worry, I'll order myself. Just go up, I'll join you when I'm done.” Elyas said with a warm smile. Noah looked at him and nodded. Julius kept his eyes on Elyas as they climbed the stairs.

  Elyas walked forward, glancing at his surroundings and admiring the great architecture of the plain red and yellow walls.

  He stopped at the desk. Remembering what he always used to order, he said. “I want a burger with some fries and a—”

  He was done admiring the architecture.

  As a basic edict, he turned towards the employee responsible for his order as talked. The face that he saw was familiar.

  It was Ralf.